3, 5-disubstituted uracils



3,352,863 3,5-DHSUB55TITUTED URACILS Edward J. Soboczenski, Chadds Ford, Pa, assignor to E. i. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Original appiication Sept. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 221,890, now Patent No. 3,235,358, dated Feb. 15, 1965. Divided and this application Dec. 27, 1965, Ser.

Claims. (Cl. 260-260) ABSTRACT OF THE DKSCLOSURE The compounds are of the class of 3,5-disubstituted uracils and salts thereof, e.g. 3-cyclohexyl-5-bromo-uracil and 3-tert-butyl-S-chlorouracil, sodium salt, which are useful as herbicides.

wherein: R is phenyl,

substituted phenyl, cycloalkyl of 3 through 12 carbon atoms, substituted cycloalkyl of 3 through 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkenyl of 5 through 12 carbon atoms, substituted cycloalkenyl of 5 through 12 carbon atoms,

wherein X is methyl or ethyl,

Y is hydrogen or methyl, Z is alkyl of 1 through 6 carbon atoms;

and wherein said substituent for said phenyl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkenyl groups is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 through 4 carbon atoms or methoxy;

and

R is halogen or methyl.

Also included within the invention are the salts of the uracils of Formula 1 formed with such cations as sodium, potassium, lithium, and quaternary ammonium.

The compounds of the present invention possess herbicidal activity making them useful wherever general weed control is required, such as on industrial sites, on railroad ballast and in non-crop agricultural areas. For example, a pre-emergence treatment with these compounds will control such germinating broadleaf weeds as pigweed, lambs quarter, mustard, chickweed and ragweed, and such grass weeds as crab grass and foxtails.

These compounds can also be used in soil foliage applications for the control of such broadleaves as pigweed, lambs quarter, mustard, chickweed and ragweed 3,352,863 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 ice and such grass weeds as crab grass, foxtails, qauck grass and seedling Johnson grass.

Certain of the compounds exhibit selective herbicidal action in crops. For example, by properly selecting a compound of the invention and a rate and time of application, annual weeds growing in fields of peanuts can be controlled. This selective activity is described in greater detail in the examples which follow.

The concentration at which the compounds are to be used will vary according to the result desired, the type of vegetation, the formulation used, the mode of application, weather conditions, foliage density, and other similar factors. Since so many factors play a role, it is not possible to indicate a concentration suitable for all situations. Generally, when they are used in pre-emergence treatments, the compounds are used at concentrations of from 0.25 to 5 pounds of active ingredient per acre. Concentrations of from 0.5 to 4 pounds per acre are preferred. When used in soil-foliage applications, these compounds are used at concentrations of from 10 to 35 pounds of active ingredient per acre. The optimum concentration to be used in any particular application will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

The compounds of this invention are strong absorbers of ultraviolet radiation. They show, in addition to end absorption, a strong band near 270 m Consequently, these compounds are useful as ultraviolet screening agents. As a result of this property, these compounds can be employed in Vinyl resin formulations to retard the deterioration by sunlight of the products fabricated therefrom.

The compounds of this invention, when applied to their environment, also control aquatic weeds, including algae.

The 3,5-disubstituted uracils hereof can be prepared according to the following equations:

The cyclohexylurea of Equation 2 is condensed with the tit-methyl oxalacetate in an inert solvent such as benzene, and in the presence of an acidic catalyst such as phosphoric acid. This reaction mixture is heated until approximately the theoretical amount of water has been removed. This will vary according to the starting materials used. The solvent is then removed and the residue 0 is heated at reflux with a slight excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide, whereupon ring closure takes place. The resulting uracil carboxylic acid is decarboxylated to the desired uracil by heating it above its melting point, either by itself or in an inert, high-boiling-point liquid such as dibutyl phthalate or a eutectic mixture of diphenyl and diphenyl ether.

Other uracils can be prepared by substituting an appropriate substituted urea for the cyclohexylurea in Equation 2.

By substituting ethyl oxalacetate or ethyl a-fiuorooxalacetate for the tit-methyl oxalacetate in Equation 2, the corresponding S-unsubstituted and S-fluoro uracils can be prepared.

Uracils substituted in the 3-position in accordance with the scope of the present invention can be prepared according to the equations which follow. These S-substituted uracils can then be readily converted to 3,5-disubstituted uracils of the present invention.

In Equation 5, a mixture of malononitrile, sec-butylurea and triethyl orthoformate, in molar ratios of 1:123, is heated at 70 C. to 100 C. with stirring for 1 to 3 hours. The excess ortho ester and ethanol are then removed at reduced pressure. The residue consists of essentially pure [(3-sec-butylureido methylene] malononitrile.

This is dissolved in alcohol and converted to 3-secbutyl-S-cyanocytosine by treatment with sodium methylate, as illustrated in Equation 6.

The 3-sec-butyl-S-cyanocytosine is converted to the corresponding uracil according to Equation 7 by a 3-hour reflux with 3 N hydrochloric acid. The uracil crystallizes from the aqueous solution on cooling.

On refluxing the 3-sec-butyl-S-cyanouracil with an excess of 25% sodium hydroxide solution, the nitrile is hydrolyzed according to Equation 8 with the formation of 3-sec-butyl-5-uracil carboxylic acid.

The acid is easily decarboxylated by heating it at a temperature above its melting point. This is illustrated by Equation 9. The resulting 3-sec-butyluracil is purified by recrystallization from solvents such as nitromethane or carbon tetrachloride.

3,5-disubstituted uracils can also be prepared from the 3-substituted uracils made according to Equations 5 to 9 by reacting them with electrophilic reactants according to the following equation:

(to) Q where A is bromine, chlorine. or iodine.

Other methods for preparing the uracils used according to this invention are set forth in J. Chem. Soc., 1956, 1877 and in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 74, 4267 (1952).

The salts of the compounds of Formula 1 are prepared by conventional methods such as dissolving the free uracil in an aqueous or nonaqueous solution of at least an equimolar amount of a base or basic salt containing the desired cation. For example, a sodium salt can be prepared by dissolving the uracil in water containing an equimolar amount of sodium hydroxide. The salt can then be isolated from the solution by removal of the water. The uracil salts which are not soluble in water can be prepared by treating an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of the uracil with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble salt of the metal.

The quaternary ammonium salts of the compounds of Formula 1 are prepared by reacting the substituted uracil with an appropriate quaternary ammonium hydroxide. Since these hydroxides are generally available in solution, the reaction is most conveniently carried out in the same solvent. If the salt is desired, it can be easily prepared by removing the solvent.

Alternatively, the quaternary ammonium salts of the uracils can be prepared in a dry inert solvent such as toluene, methanol or xylene by first preparing the corresponding sodium salt in the solvent. The appropriate quaternary ammonium halide is then added with stirring and, if necessary, mild heating. The sodium halide which forms is removed by filtration, leaving the quaternary ammonium salt of the uracil in solution. If desired, the dry salt can be prepared by removing the solvent, preferably in vacuo.

The compounds defined for the present invention can be prepared for herbicidal use by incorporating them with suitable adjuvants.

The amount of herbicide in such preparations can vary over a wide range according to need. Generally speaking, they will contain from about 0.5 to 95%, by weight of active ingredient.

Powder and dust preparations can be made by mixing compounds of the invention with finely-divided solids such as tales, natural clays, pyrophyllite, diatomaceous earth; flours such as walnut shell, wheat, redwood, soya bean and cotton seed; or inorganic substances such as magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium phospbate, sulfur and lime. These preparations are made by thoroughly blending the active ingredient and the solid. The particles in such preparations are preferably less than 50 microns in average diameter.

Water-soluble preparations can be prepared by mixing an active with an alkaline solubilizing agent. Solid bases having a pH of at least 9.5 in a 1% aqueous solution such as sodium or potassium phosphates, silicates, carbonates, borates, oxides or hydroxides are suitable. The preparations can contain from 0.5 to of active ingredient and from 5 to 99.5% of the solubilizing agent.

Granules and pellets can be made by mixing a finelydivided active with a suitable clay such as kaolinite, montmorillonite or attapulgite, moistening this mixture with from 15 to 20% by weight of water, and then extruding the mass through a suitable die under pressure. The extrusions are cut into pre-determined lengths and then dried. These pellets can be granulated if desired.

Granules or pellets can also be prepared by spraying a suspension or solution of an active onto the surface of a preformed granule of clay, vermiculite or other suitable granular material. If the active is in solution, it will penetrate into the pores of the granule and so Will adhere without the aid of a binding agent. When the active material is insoluble in the liquid and is carried as a suspension, it is preferable that a binding agent such as goulac, dextrin, swollen starch, glue or polyvinyl alcohol be added. In either case, the granule is then dried and ready for use.

Compositions of actives can also be prepared with non-aqueous liquids. Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, especially those derived from petroleum and having boiling points of from 125 C. to 400 C. are preferred. Hydrocarbons having lower boiling points should not be used because of their undesirable volatilization characteristics and infiammability. Liquid preparations in which the actives are not soluble are made by milling the components in a mill such as a pebble mill until the particles have average diameters of from 1 to 50 microns, preferably 5 to 20 microns.

The herbicidal preparations, whatever physical form they take, can also contain a surface-active agent. The surfactant renders the preparations readily dispersible in liquids and improves their action on Waxy leaves and the like. For general application, surface-active agents are used in the preparations at concentrations of from about 1 to by weight. Levels of from 0.5 to 6 parts of surfactant for each part of active, however, give unusual and unexpected results. Preparations having these higher levels of surfactants show greater herbicidal effectiveness than can be expected from a consideration of activity of the components used separately.

The term surface-active agent is intended to include wetting agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents and emulsifying agents. Surface-active agents suitable for use are set forth in Detergents and Emulsifiers, Annual 1965, John W. McCutcheon, Inc., Morristown, NJ. Other surface-active agents which can be used in these preparations are listed in US. Patents 2,139,276, 2,412,- 510, 2,426,417, and 2,655,447.

The preparations can also optionally contain adhesives such as gelatin, blood albumin and such resins as rosin alkyd resins. These increase retention and tenacity of deposits following application.

The alkali metal salts of the compounds of Formula 1 are especially advantageous for use as herbicides because they are soluble in water and can be applied as aqueous solutions.

The herbicidal compounds of the present invention can be combined with each other and with other known herbicides to give compositions which have advantages over the individual components.

Among the known herbicides which can be combined with the compounds of the invention are:

Substituted ureas invention in proportions of from 1:4 to 4:1, respectively, the preferred ratio being 1:2 to 2: 1.

6 Substituted triazines 2-chloro-4,6-bis (ethylamino -s-triazine 2-chloro-4,6-bis (isopropylarnino) -striazine 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine 2-chloro-4,6-bis (methoxypropylamino -s-triazine 2-methoxy-4,6-bis (isopropylamino -s-triazine 2-ethylamino-4- (Z-methoxyethylamino) -6-chloro-striazine 2-methylmercapto-4,6-bis (isopropylamino) -s-triazine 2-methylmercapto-4,6-bis (ethylamino -s-triazine 2-methylmercapto-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-striazine 2-methoxy-4, 6-b is (ethylamino -s-triazine 2-methoxy-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine 2-isopropylamino-4- (2-methoxyethylamino) -6-methylmercapto-s-triazine These triazines can be mixed with the compounds of this invention in proportions of from 1:4 to 4:1, respecively, the preferred ratio being 1:2 to 2.1.

Phenols Dinitro-o-sec-butylphenol and its salts Pentachlorophenol and its salts These phenols can be mixed with the compounds of this invention in the proportions of 1:10 to 10:1, respectively, the preferred ratio being 1:5 to 5:1.

Carbwcylic acids and derivatives The following carboxylic acids and derivatives can be mixed with the compounds of this invention in the listed respective proportions:

2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzoic acid and its salts 2-methoxy-3,5,6-trichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 3-amino-2,S-dichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 3-nitro-2,S-dichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 2-methyl-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid and its salts 2,3-dichloro-6-methylbenzoic acid and its salts 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its salts and esters 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its salts and esters (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)acetic acid and its salts and esters 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid and its salts and esters 2- 2,4,5 -trichlorophenoxy) ethyl-2,2-dichloropropionate 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid and its salts and esters 4-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid and its salts and esters 2,3,6-trichlorobenzyloxypropanol Mixed in a 1:20 to 8:1 ratio, preferably a 1:8 to 4:1 ratio. B. 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile Mixed in a 1:4 to 4:1 ratio, preferably a 1:3 to 3:1 ratio. C. Trichloroacetic acid and its salts Mixed in a 1:4 to 25:1 ratio, preferably a 1:2 to 10:1 ratio. D. 2,2-dichloropropionic acid and its salts Mixed in a 1:4 to 10:1 ratio, preferably a 1:2 to 5:1 ratio.

E N,N-di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamic acid, ethyl ester N,N-di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamic acid, n-propyl ester N-ethyl-N-(n-butyl)thiolcarbamic acid, ethyl ester N-ethyl-N-(n-butyl)thiolcarbamic acid, n-propyl ester Mixed in a 1:2 to 24:1 ratio, preferably a 1:1 to 12:1 ratio.

F N-phenylcarbamic acid, isopropyl ester N-(m-chlorophenyl)carbamic acid, isopropyl ester acid, 4-chloro-2-butynyl 2-chloro-N,N-diallylacetamide Maleic hydrazide Mixed in a 1:2 to 10:1 ratio, preferably a 1:1 to :1 ratio.

Inorganic and mixed inorganic-organic salts The following salts can be mixed with the compounds of this invention in the listed respective proportions:

Calcium propylarsonate Disodium monomethylarsonate Octyl-dodecylammoniummethylarsonate Dimethyl arsinic acid Mixed in a 1:4 to 8:1 ratio, preferably a 1:2 to 4:1 ratio. B. Sodium arsenite Mixed in a 1:10 to 40:1 ratio, preferably a 1:5 to 25:1 ratio.

Lead arsenate Calcium arsenate Mixed in a 150:1 to 600:1 ratio, preferably a 100:1 to 400:1 ratio.

Sodium tetraborate hydrated, granulated Sodium metaborate Sodium pentaborate Unrefined borate ore such as borascu Polychlorborate Mixed in a 6:1 to 1500:1 ratio, preferably a 3:1 to 100011 ratio. E. Sodiumchlorate Mixed in a 2:1 to 40:1 ratio, preferably a 1:1 to 20:1 ratio. F. Ammonium sulfamate Mixed in a 1:1 to 100:1 ratio, preferably a 1:1 to 50:1 ratio. G. Ammonium thiocyanate Mixed in a 1:10 to 20:1 ratio, preferably a 1:5 to 5:1 ratio.

Other organic herbicides The following herbicides can be mixed with the compounds of this invention in the listed respective proportions.

1,1'-ethylene-2,2'-dipyridylium cation 1,1'ethylene-4,4'-dipyridylium cation Mixed in a 1:20 to 16:1 ratio, preferably a 1:5 to 5:1 ratio. B. 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole Mixed in a 1:20 to 20:1 ratio, preferably a 1:5 to 5:1 ratio. C. 3,6-endoxohexahydrophthalic acid Mixed in a 1:4 to 20:1 ratio, preferably a 1:2 to :1 ratio.

Diphenylacetonitrile N,N-dimethyl-a,a-diphenylacetamide N,N-di (n-propyl -2,6-dinitro-4-trifiuoromethylaniline N,N-di n-propyl) -2,6-dinitro-4-methylaniline Mixed in a 1:10 to 30:1 ratio, preferably a 1:5 to :1 ratio.

O-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) O methyl-isopropylphosphoramidothionate 2,3,5,6-tetrach1oroterephthalic acid, dimethyl ester 8 Mixed in a 1:4 to 20:1 ratio, preferably a 1:3 to 15:1 ratio.

F 2,4-dichloro-4'-nitrodiphenyl ether 2.3,5-trichloro-4-pyridinol 4-amin0-3,5,6-trichl0r0pic0linic acid Mixed in a 1:10 to 30:1 ratio, preferably a 1:5 to 20:1 ratio.

Other substituted uracils The compounds of this invention can be mixed with other known herbicidal uracils, in the respective proportions listed below:

A 3-isopropyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-isopropyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil 3-sec-butyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-secbutyl-5chloro-6-methyluracil 3-cyclohexyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-cyclohexyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil 3-tert-butyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil Mixed in a 1:4 to 4:1 ratio, preferably a 1:2 to 2:1 ratio.

B 3-cyclohexyl-6-methyluracil 3-cyclohexyl-6-ethyluracil 3-cyclohexyl-6-sec-butyluraci1 3-n0rbornyl-6-methyluraci1 3-cyclopentyl-6-methyluracil 3-cyclohexyl-6-isopropyluracil Mixed in a 1:4 to 4:1 ratio, preferably a 1:2 to 2:1 ratio.

3-isopropyl-1-trichloromethylthio-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-cycl0hexyl-1-trichloromethylthio-5-bromo-6- methyluracil 3-sec-butyl-l-acetyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-isopropyl-l-acetyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-isopropyl-1-trichloromethylthio-5-chloro-6-methyluracil 3-isopropyl-1-methyl-5-bromo-6-methyluracil 3-cyclohexyl-1-methyl-5-ch1oro-6-methyluracil 3-cyclohexyl-l ,6-dimethyluracil Mixed in a 1:4 to 4:1 ratio, preferably a 1:2 to 2:1 ratio.

EXAMPLE 1 A mixture of 56.8 parts of cyclohexylurea, 73 parts of diethyl Z-methyl oxalacetate, and 4 parts of orthophosphoric acid in 400 parts of benzene is heated at refiux for 8 hours, during which time 7.8 parts of water are collected. The solvent is removed and the residual oil taken up in 400 parts of water containing 24 parts of sodium hydroxide. The solution is heated on a steam bath with agitation for 2 hours. Acidification with concentrated hydrochloric acid causes precipitation of 3-cyc1ol1exyl-5- 1 EXAMPLE 3 A miXture of 194 parts of 3-cyclohexyluracil, 1000 parts of acetic acid, and 253 parts of iodine is stirred at 100 C. as 72 parts of fuming nitric acid are gradually 9 methyluracil-6-carboxylic acid. This is collected by filtration, air-dried, and taken up as a suspension in 100 parts of a eutectic mixture of diphenyl ether and diphenyl. This mixture is stirred and heated at reflux, whereupon CO is evolved. Upon completion of the CO evolution, the

mixture is cooled filtered, and the Solvent Washed out added. When the addition is complete, the dark colored with benzene. Crystalline 3-cyclohexyl-S-methyluracil resohmon refluxed for about one'half hour and then mains cooled to ice-bath temperature.

The following Compounds are prepared as in Example The excess iodine which precipitates is filtered off and 1 by substituting equivalent amounts of mono substituted the filtrate muted Wlth 4000 Parts by Welght of cOld water. The iodine remaining in solution is reduced to iodide ion by adding a saturated solution of sodium bisulfite until the solution becomes colorless.

ureas and equivalent amounts of oxalacetates set forth in the following table for the cyclohexylurea and diethyla-methyloxalacetate:

()xalacetate Parts by U a Parts by Substituted Uracil Product \Veight Weight Diethyl 2-rnethyloxa1acetate 73 sec-Butylurea 46, 3 S buty1-5methyluracil.

1) 73 1-(4-m ethoxycylcohexyl) urea. 63. 8 3-(4-methoxycyc1ohexyl) -5-methyluraci1.

79 tert-Butylurea 6. 3 3-13Bi't-butyl-S-methyluragil,

73 N0rb0rneny1urea 62. 3 3-n0rborneny1-5-1nethyluraoil.

73 Z-methyleyclohexyl urea 57 -t ethylcyclohexyD-5-methyluraeil.

73 l-(decahydro-l,4-5,8-dimethanonaphth 88. 4 3-(decahydro-1,4-5,8-dimethanonaphth-Z-yl)-5- 2-yl)urea. methyluraerl.

73 Bornylurea v 2 -b0rny1-5-1nethyluracil.

74.1 Cyclohex'ylurea 3-eycloh exyl5-fiu0rouracil.

74. 1 8-D ecahydronaphthylurea 4 3-(fl-doeahydronaphthyl)-5-fluorouraci1.

Cycloheptylurea 5 -0y010heptyl-5-fiuorouracil. sec-Butylurea -5ec-butyl-5-fluorouraeil. Bicyelo[2,2,2] oct-Z-ylurea 2 3b1cyclo[2,2,2]oct-2-yl-5-fluorouracil.

Phenylurea 2-meth ylcyclohexylurea 1- 4-rnethylcyclohexyl) urea.

1-(1 ,l-dirnethylpentyl) urea 6 3-(1,1-dimetliylp entyl)-5methyluracil. l-(l-ethylbutyhursa 3-(l-ethylbutyl)-5-methyluracil. Cyc1ooetylurea 30ycl00ctyl-5-rnethyluraci1. Norbomylurea 5 3-norbomyl-fi-methyluracil. .5 Cyclopentylurea. 3-oyclopentyl-5-n1ethyluracil. 73 Cyclohexenylurea 3-cyclohexenyl-5-methyluracil. 73 Cyclopentenylurea S-cyclopenteny1-5-methy1uracil. 73 Cyclopropylurea. 3-cyol0propyl-fi-methyluraoil. 73 3-isopropyl-5-methyluracil. 73 3-sec-butyl-5-methyluracil. 73 29. 6 3-fenehyl-S-rnethyluraoil. 73 108 3(2-dodecyl)-5-methyluraci1.

EXAMPLE 2 40 Tile acueouil slolutiog1 isgxtragted with 61000 parts by weig t 0 met y ene c on e t e organic ayer is sepaa SeYenteen Rafts by 5 3 t g g gl i rated, washed with saturated sodlum bicarbonate solution zoimmute penod to a Stu-{e so u Ion 0 h f and distilled under reduced pressure to give solvent-free, weight of 3-cyclohexylurac1l in 100 parts by we1g t 0 essentially pure 3 cyclohexyl s iodouraGil. glacial a ti temperature muntf1med below The uracils in the following table can be similarly pre- 30" C. during the addition. The solution is stirred at 20- pared by substituting equivalent amounts of properly 3- 30 C. f r an flddltlonal 11/2 hours and 15 then Poured substituted uracils for 3-cyclohexyluracil: into 2 volumes of ice water with stirring, l a 3 bomyl s iodouracil white solid separates. This solid is filtered, Washed with 3 cyclopropyl s iodouracil water until acid-free, and dried to g essentlally P g l b t l s i d fl 3-cyc1ohexyl-5-bromouracil.

The following compounds are prepared as in Example 2 by substituting equivalent amounts of the 3-substituted uracils and halogens set forth in the following table for the 3-cyclohexyluracil and bromine:

3-cyclopentyl-5-iodouracil 3 -sec-butyl-5-iodouracil 3 -isopropyl-5-iodouracil 3-norbornyl-5-iodouracil 3-decahydronaphthyl-S-iodouracil Uracil Starting Reactant Parts by Halogen Parts by Ura il P Welsht Weight Oduct 3-cyclohexyluraoil 4 17. 0 3-cycl0hexyl-fi-bromouracili 3-eyelopentyluracil. A. V 0 1 17. 0 3-Cy010penty1-5-brornouracil. 3-cyclooctyluracil 2212 C1 8. 0 3-cyclooctyl-5-chlorouracil, 3-cycl0p entenyluracil 3 1 8. 0 3-Cyol0poutenyl-fi-ohlorouracil. 3-is0propyluraciL 15. 4 Br 17. 0 3-isopropyl-fi-bromouracil. 3-phenyluracil" 18. 8 Br 17. 0 3-pl1onyl-5-bromouracil. 3-tert-butyluraciL 15. 3 Br 17. 0 3-tert-butyl-5-bromouraeil. 3- e -mnyluracfl 18. 2 Br 17. 0 3-sec-amyl-5-bromouracil.

3-( bicyc10[2,2,2loct-5 yDuracll 21. 8 Br 17. 0 3-(bicyelo[2,2,2]oct-aen-il-yl)-5-bromouraci1.

3-( 1,Q-dimetlrylcyclopentyDuracil 0- 8 r 17. 0 3-(1,Z-dimethyloyclopentyl)-5-brom uraci1,

3-fcnchyluracil 8 Cl 81 0 3-fenchyl-5-chlorouraeil.

3-n0rhornen yluracil 20. 4 Br 17. O 3-norbornenyl-5-br0rno uracil.

3-(3,4dimethylcyclohexyDuracrl 21. 6 Cl 8. 0 3-(3,4-dirnethylcyelohexyl)-5-chlorouracil.

3-(3u,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methan0-5-indanyl)uracil 44. 5 Br 17. O 3-%a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-n1ethano-5-indanyl)-5- rornouracil.

3-( -1,2,3,4-tetrahydrouaphthyDuracil 24. 2 C1 8. 0 3-(v-L2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyD-fi-chlorouraeil.

34i,2,3,4,4a,545,7,8,Sa-decahydronaphth-ti-yl)uracil 26. 1 B1" 17. 0 3-(1,2,Z i4,4a,5,6,7,8,Ba-decahydronaphthyl)-5-bro1r1ouracr 3-(5,6,7,S-tetrahydronaphthyl)uracil .V 23. 1 Br 17. 0 3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl)-5-brom0uraci1,

3-(2-dodecyl)uracil 28. 0 Br 17 0 3-(2-d0decy1)-5-bromonracil.

1 1 EXAMPLE 4 A solution of 4 parts by Weight of sodium hydroxide in 100 parts of water is treated with 20.3 parts by weight of 3-sec-butyl-5-ch1orouracil. Stirring and warming is employed to effect solution. Water is removed under reduced pressure, leaving 3-sec-butyl-5-chlorouracil, sodium salt as a white residue.

EXAMPLE 5 One hundred eighty-two parts of 3-tert-butyl-S-methyluracil are gradually added, with stirring, to 835 parts of a one-molar solution if tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol. When solution is complete, the solvent, is distilled off at reduced pressure. The white solid tetrabutylammonium salt of 3-tert-butyl-5-methyluracil which remains is sufiiciently pure for incorporation into herbicidal formulations.

EXAMPLE 6 The following components are prepared as a concentrated aqueous solution:

Percent 3-tert-butyl-5-chlorouracil, Na salt 20 Sodium lauryl sulfate 2 Water 78 Other soluble salts suitable for preparation of water concentrates are 3 decahydrol ,4-5,8-dimethanonaphthyl -5- methyluracil, Na salt 5-bromo-3-cyclohexyluracil, Na salt 3-fenchyluracil, Na salt 3-( l-ethylhexyl)-5-methyluracil, K salt 3-( 1,1-dimethylbutyl)-5-methylauracil, K salt The aqueous solution of 3-(tert-butyl)-5-chlorouracil, sodium salt, is used for directed postemergence weed control in gladiolus beds. A concentration of one pound of active ingredient per acre in 30 gallons of water gives excellent control of seedling weeds such as crab grass, pigweed, velvet weed, and flower-of-an-hour. Care must be taken to direct the spray so as to avoid contact with gladioli plants.

At concentrations of to 25 pounds per acre in 80 gallons of Water, all of the above compositions give excellent control of a wide variety of annular grasses and broadleaf weeds growing on railroad ballast.

EXAMPLE 7 A water suspension is prepared by grinding the following ingredients together in a ball or roller mill until the solids are finely dispersed in the water and the average particle size is less than 5 microns:

Percent 3-fenchyl-5-methyluracil 25 Hydrated attapulgite 2 Sodium lignin sulfonate 5 Water 68 EXAMPLE 8 A water suspension is prepared by grinding the following ingredients together in a ball or roller mill:

Percent 3-isopropyl-5-br0mouracil 25 Hydrated attapulgite 2 Lignin sulfonic acid, Na salt 5 Water 68 Grinding is continued until the particles in the suspension have been reduced to diameters of less than 5 microns.

12 The water suspensions of Examples 7 and 8 control seedling broadleaf weeds growing along fence rows. An application of the suspensions with a pressure sprayer at concentrations of 10 to 20 pounds of active ingredient per acre in gallons of water controls mustard and chickweed seedlings.

EXAMPLE 9 The following ingredients are used to prepare an oil suspension:

Percent 3-(sec-butyl)-5-methyluracil 15 Diesel oil 8O Polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters of mixed rosin and fatty acids 5 The ingredients are ground together in a ball or roller mill until the solids are finely dispersed in the oil and the average particle size of the active ingredient is less than 5 microns. This oil suspension is diluted with water to firm a water emulsion for application to plants.

3-(4-isopropylcyclohexyl)-5-bromouracil, 3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-5-methyluracil, 3 cyclohexyl-S-bromouracil and 3-cyclopentenyl-S-bromouracil are prepared as oil suspensions in a similar manner.

The emulsifiable oil of Example 9 is useful for weed control in railroad yards and cattle yards. When this composition is diluted with water at a rate of 160 gallons per acre and sprayed from a railroad spray car at a level of about 25 pounds of active material per acre, vegetation such as quack grass, crab grass, seedling Johnson grass, seedling Bermuda grass, brome grass, ragweed, lambs quarter, and marestail is controlled for an extended period.

This same oil suspension composition, when applied to a drainage ditch infested with mixed annual and perennial broadleaf and grass weeds at concentrations of 25 pounds of active material per acre in gallons of water, also gives excellent control of vegetation. The ditch remains bare for an extended period.

EXAMPLE 10 The following ingredients are used to prepare an oil solution:

Percent 3-isopropyl-5-bromouracil 10.0 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid 10.0 Xylene 80.0

The solid ingredients are added to the xylene and stirred at ambient temperature until they dissolve.

This solution controls deep-rooted perennial herbaceous weeds and woody vines. A solution of fifty pounds of active ingredients is diluted to 100 gallons with a herbicidal oil and sprayed on a dense tangled growth of vines and weeds along a railroad right-of-way. Good control of trumpet vine, bindweed, poison ivy, barnyard grass, foxtail, ragweed, and marestail is obtained.

EXAMPLE 11 The following ingredients are used to prepare an oil dispersion:

Percent 3-cyclohexyl-5-methyluracil 25.00 2,4,S-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, isooctyl ester 6.25 Parafiin oil (90% unsulfonatable residue) 68.75

13 EXAMPLE 12 An emulsifiable concentrate is prepared by mixing the following three components:

Percent 3-tert-butyl-S-methyluracil 20 Alkylaryl polyether alcohol Dibutyl ketone 75 This concentrate can be extended with water to give an emulsion.

This formulation is extended with 30 gallons of water and used in post-emergence applications at levels of 2 to 4 pounds of active ingredient per acre on young germinating annual weeds in established asparagus beds. It is applied in the spring, prior to the emergence of the asparagus spears. Good control of foxtail, lambs quarter, pigweed and cocklebur is obtained.

EXAMPLE 13 A noncaking, soluble powder is prepared by blending and micropulverizing the following ingredients:

Percent 3-sec-butyl-5-chlorouracil, sodium salt 90 Diatomaceous silica When the powder is placed in Water in a spray tank, the active material dissolves, leaving the silica in suspension.

This soluble salt composition is used for control of mixed annual and perennial vegetation growing around oil tank installations. Concentrations of 20 to 30 pounds of active ingredient per acre in 80 gallons of water give excellent weed control for an extended period.

Other soluble uracil salts which can be prepared and used in the same manner with good results are 3-cyclohexyl-5-bromouracil, potassium salt 5-bromo-3-phenyluracil, sodium salt.

EXAMPLE 14 The following ingredients are used to prepare a watersoluble powder by blending until homogeneous, micropulverizing until the particles are 50 microns or less in diameter, and then reblending:

Percent 3-tert-butyl-5-methyluracil 50.0 Trisodium phosphate (anhydrous) 42.5 Sodium lignin sulfonate 5.0 Sodium lauryl sulfate 2.5

Equivalent amounts of other basic salts such as sodium metaborate or hydrates of trisodium phosphate may be used in this formulation in place of the anhydrous trisodium phosphate.

When applied at the rate of 4 to 6 pounds (active) per acre in 40 gallons of water, this formulation controls seedlings of such annual and perennial grasses as Johnson grass, giant foxtail, barnyard grass, crab grass, cheat, wild barley and annual broadleaves such as pigweed and lambs quarter growing along a roadside.

EXAMPLE The following composition is blended and micropulverized, then mixed with 15 water and extruded under pressure through an orifice to produce rods which are cut into pellets and dried:

Percent 3-sec-butyl-5-bromouracil Alkylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, Na salt 1 Anhydrous sodium sulfate 10 Non-swelling bentonitric clay 64 14 EXAMPLE 16 The following composition is used to prepare granules by dissolving the active ingredient in water and spraying it on tumbling vermiculite and then drying the product:

Percent 3-phenyl-5-chlorouracil, sodium salt 25 820 mesh expanded vermiculite 75 Other compounds suitable for the preparation of this type of granule are 3-cyclooctyl-5-iodouracil, sodium salt 3-(,B-decahydronaphthyl)-5-chlorouracil, sodium salt 3-(bornyl)-5-fiuorouracil, sodium salt 3-(3,4-xylyl)-5-rnethyluracil, potassium salt Any of the granular compositions of this example can be applied by hand or by specially built spreaders at concentrations of 25 to pounds of active ingredient per acre, for the control of broadleaf and grass Weeds in lumber yards, along railroad rights-of-way, in fire lanes and around billboards, and in parking areas and roadsides.

EXAMPLE 17 A wettable powder is prepared by blending and micropulverizing the following ingredients:

Percent 30 3-cyclohexyl-5-iodouracil 80.00

Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, 85-15 condensate with sodium benzoate 1.00

Low viscosity methyl cellulose 0.25

Attapulgite clay 18.75

R-N R1 1 l e O=\N H where R is phenyl,

substituted phenyl wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 through 4 carbon atoms and methoxy,

cycloalkyl of 3 through 12 carbon atoms, substituted cycloalkyl of 3 through 12 carbon atoms wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 through 4 carbon atoms and methoxy,

cycloalkenyl of 5 through 12 carbon atoms,

substituted cycloalkenyl of 5 through 12 carbon (b) the sodium, potassium, lithium, and lower alkyl atoms wherein said substituent is selected from quaternary ammonium salts of the compounds of (a).

the group consisting of alkyl of 1 through 4 2. 3-cyclohexyl-S-bromouracil. carbon atoms and methoxy, or 3. 3-sec-butyl-5-bromouracil.

5 4. 3-tert-butyl-S-bromouracil. X 5. 3-tert-butyl-5ehlor0uracil, sodium salt. Y-JJ- References Cited Lacey et al., Jour. Chem. Soc. 1958, pp. 2134-2141.

10 Senda et aL. Chem. Abstracts, vol. 53, 1959, pp. 10237- wherein tl gabstract of Chem. Pharm. Bull., v01. 6, pp. 479-482,

X is methyl or ethyl Y is hydrogen or methyl Z is alkyl of 1 through 6 carbon atoms; 15 NICHOLAS S. RIZZO, P1 zmaly Exammm.

M. OBRIEN. FRANK A. MIKA, Assistant Examiners.

R is halogen; and 

1. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF (A) COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA 